Policy and Complex Systems
for policymakers , we have gathered some sophisticated practical applications of complexity tools in different areas of public policy , such as : public transport , education , healthcare , water and energy resources , employment , immigration , discrimination , climate change and economics , and various others . In this paper , we have carried out this systematic literature review of studies on complex systems for public policies in both theoretical and experimental approaches . Our primary objective is to verify whether complex systems theory is beneficial in the field of public policies , and our secondary objectives include the analysis of what contexts of public policy has complex system theory been empirically tested , what tools have been used and what are the main results obtained so far .
Methods
In this study , we carried out a systematic
literature review instead of a narrative text . Such method allows for a more replicable and transparent process , since traditional literature reviews lack criteria for study selection , and thus transparency and replication are not possible . Here , we used a method adapted from Parris and Peachey ( 2013 ). tools . As secondary objectives , we include the formal comparison of traditional and complex system approaches and the reason why policymakers are not receptive to engaging in complex systems .
We searched studies within a 10-year period ( 2005-2015 ) on complex systems and public policies , with two different approaches :
1 . those that describe the use of complex system theory in the public policy area .
2 . those with the aim of solving a public policy issue with the use of complex system methods and tools .
In addition , we used the following inclusion and exclusion criteria :
( a ) Include only studies with full text available
( b ) Include only studies in English language
( c ) Include only studies with one of these components addressed in the abstract , results , or discussion : ( c . 1 ) the implications of the intersection of public policies and complex systems , or ( c . 2 ) an application of complexity theory to the policy context ( empirical evidence or simulation ).
Eligibility
Our primary objectives are to answer how useful complex system tools are useful to the public policy process , and to detect practical work in this field , identifying the main areas that are benefiting from such approach . We did not intend to compare the results of policies formulated with traditional and complex system approaches , because there is not a significant number of studies describing the results of real-world policies formulated with the support of such
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